A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

[SouthdownRebel]

Watching the cricket on Sky today, they ran an interesting piece on Mohammad Amir during the innings break. It's six years since this happened, and it seems likely he'll play his first test match since then back at Lord's.

Part of the Sky segment had Ian Ward reading out comments from viewers, all along the lines of what a disgrace it is that he's been allowed near a cricket pitch again. Personally, I'm entirely in agreement with Atherton and Hussain who gave a staunch defence of his right to a second chance, without excusing the seriousness of his error.

The tourists are playing a three day game at Hove from next Friday, I might pop along on day two.

[nmrfox]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

In agreement with Atherton and Hussain; whilst you cannot excuse the seriousness of what happened I always felt that Amir being by far the youngest of the trio was preyed upon by the others.

Got tickets for the second day of the second test. Never been to Old Trafford cricket ground before, been past it many times for the football, and am looking forward to it already.

[SouthdownRebel]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

nmrrenard wrote: In agreement with Atherton and Hussain; whilst you cannot excuse the seriousness of what happened I always felt that Amir being by far the youngest of the trio was preyed upon by the others.

I also hadn't realised before now that the journalist had tried his sting previously, and it hadn't worked. They targeted Amir at Lord's specifically because he was the youngest and most vulnerable member of the squad, in part because they were desperate to get the story.

[diggedy derek]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

I would have gone for Amir Inconvenience. Same idea though.

Didn't Amir act the dick a bit when he was supposed to be serving his sentence? I don't know the details, which is of course is crucial in this sort of situation with such a young player in such a toxic situation, but I remember him perhaps trying to play for a few teams.

Not sure what to expect of this series, which is the beauty of Pakistan’s cricket team. I was saddened, to roll things back a bit, to see the limited but doughty Nick Compton take a break from cricket. An unhappy end, for sure, but he's played his part.

[Satchmo Distel]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

It's a little worrying that many England home series might be becoming home bankers simply because the opposition has no county experience and insufficient time or motivation to prepare.

[Tubby Isaacs]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Enjoying the bits of women's T20 I've caught. Good slow bowler on, Sophie Eccleston, who should be at school today. Just hit for 4, a la Joss Buttler. Next ball bit flatter, same shot, clean bowled.

[diggedy derek]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Jos Buttler supposedly tipped to take the gloves with Bairstow moving up the order. I think Buttler is pretty decent behind the stumps these days. But if they are looking for a keeper, I'd rather than found some kind of shit-hot specialist, which would bring a new dimension to England in the field, rather than yet another attacking batsman whose Test record is very moderate.

[Kusal Flyer]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Satchmo Distel wrote: It's a little worrying that many England home series might be becoming home bankers simply because the opposition has no county experience and insufficient time or motivation to prepare.

Agreed, this (rather than Mohamed Aamir) is the big issue for me. Cricket becomes much less of a draw as a result, almost to the extent that I can tolerate a 13 month football season*

I'm fairly sure I was less sympathetic than some to MA in 2010, and remain so now. He wasn't quite the naive teenage farmboy,and did act the tool while banned as covered above.

On the other hand, he's done his bird. Atherton and Gnasher may be pains in the arse themselves, but are savvy enough to realise that English players could easily have been involved in cheating and match-fiddling allegations.

* the current started with CL round 1 on 30/6/15

[Kevin S]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Time for the bump. TMS on the headphones at work.

PK in first and starting solidly.

[Kevin S]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

I love that we have a bowler called Ball.

Have we ever had a wicket keeper called Glover?

[SouthdownRebel]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

It'll be interesting to see how this goes, England with a few readjustments. It'd be nice to see Ballance go well on his return, and Vince start to settle into the team. Then there's Jake Ball, replacing Anderson. Which presumably means he won't get a prolonged run in the team just yet.

[SouthdownRebel]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Kevchenko wrote: I love that we have a bowler called Ball.

Have we ever had a wicket keeper called Glover?

An opener called Bat?

[Kevin S]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

W00t!

[Kevin S]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

"Bairstow leaping around like an excited trout behind the stumps"

[Kevin S]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

And another, 51/2.

[Kevin S]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Ball!

[nmrfox]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Strange to realise that this is 42 year old Misbah's first ever innings at Lord's.

[ursus arctos]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

And he goes and scores a century

[Ray de Galles]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

I popped along yesterday and it was a privilege to see Misbah's hundred. As someone said in the press this morning pretty much the entire ground was willing him in to make the century.

Think those two late wickets put England right back in the game though, I imagine they will charge in with Woakes this morning.

[Duncan Gardner]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

I'm there tomorrow DV.

The last wicket was their number 11 coming in early. They'll still hope to push towards 400; England probably happy keeping it to 350.

Ray, if I can be nosy, do you mind me asking how much you paid? There's a lot of variety- it was £70 in the Tavern Stand for Sri Lanka, only £30 at the back of the Compton this time.

[nmrfox]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

England making a good start to the day with 3 wickets inside 45 minutes. Enjoy the days play tomorrow Dunc, hope the weather is good for you.

[Ray de Galles]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Duncan Gardner wrote: I'm there tomorrow DV.

The last wicket was their number 11 coming in early. They'll still hope to push towards 400; England probably happy keeping it to 350.

Ray, if I can be nosy, do you mind me asking how much you paid? There's a lot of variety- it was £70 in the Tavern Stand for Sri Lanka, only £30 at the back of the Compton this time.

Yeah, I know the last wicket yesterday was a nightwatchman but it gave England momentum and confidence - which they've capitalised on massively this morning.

I paid £90 per ticket but it was the front of the Grandstand as I was taking my wife for a nice day out. Far more reasonable tickets are available and a lot of my mates have them for this weekend.

[nmrfox]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Interesting Lord's stat for England to mull over. Teams scoring 300+ in their first innings have lost only 3 times in the past 67 Tests. Last team to post 300+ and lose were NZ back in 2004.

[Duncan Gardner]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Cheers guys. £30 is excellent value actually (the earlier one was a gift, thanks Mum )

I seem to have over-rated the Pakistani late middle-order a bit. England back in charge...

[nmrfox]

A spot of forgiveness: England v Pakistan 2016

Cook now overtakes Sunil Gavaskar as the opener who has scored the highest amount of runs. Took him 4 matches and 16 innings more to do it mind, but still an incredible achievement.